When dealing with hygiene and bathing for the elderly, it is important to ensure they are keeping up on this. Some seniors can no longer wash due to pain or other health issues. Sometimes, senior citizens forget to brush their teeth or put deodorant on. These are all things home care services can do to help. If you would like some more ways to help your elderly loved one with hygiene and bathing, keep reading below.
Doing Things at the Same Time Every Day
If your elderly loved one forgets to take care of their hygiene or bathing, it might help if you or a home care provider created a schedule for doing these tasks. It should include doing the same tasks at the same time each day. For example, if your elderly loved one likes to shower in the morning, they may start taking their shower each day at 7 a.m. Having your elderly loved one stick to the exact times for these daily tasks makes them less likely to forget. In addition, if they need help, you or the elderly care providers will know when to be at their house to assist with these tasks.
Understanding Desires
There may be particular desires or preferences that your elderly loved one has regarding bathing or hygiene. For example, if you need personal care at home services for your elderly loved one, be sure to ask your loved one whether they like to take baths or showers. You should also ask if they prefer to use certain bathing products. That way, you can relay this information to the elder care providers who will be helping out.
Stay by Their Side
If your elderly loved one is experiencing health issues affecting their balance or vision, they must have someone by their side when they shower or bathe. You may not have to watch their every move, but you should be close enough so that if your elderly loved one needs help, you can assist them.
Reducing Agitation
Suppose your elderly loved one has dementia or another disorder that causes them to be agitated during bathtime. In that case, it may be beneficial to find out what works best for them concerning cleaning up. For example, they only like to be washed with a washcloth, but not a scrunchie. If this is the case, make sure everyone who will be helping with bathtime knows this. The more you can reduce agitation in your elderly loved one; the better bathtime should go.
Conclusion
These are some of the best hygiene and bathing tips for the elderly. If your elderly loved one needs help with hygiene or bathing, hopefully, these tips will help to make things go much more effortless with these tasks.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Assistance in Westwood, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Our number is: 323-244-4789
Sources:
https://www.hhs.gov/aging/healthy-aging/index.html